CLUB NEWS
Information Morning
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The Committee of Syndal Ladies Probus Club Inc extends a warm invitation to Probian Travellers interested in 2012 tours to Mauritius and New Caledonia to join their Club at an Information Morning. This will be conducted by Trade Travel, Air Mauritius, and Tourism New Caledonia representatives on
Thursday 23rd February commencing at 10.45am
Venue is the Mount Waverley Youth Centre, Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley.
All enquiries to Irma Dymke – phone 9802 4435 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Surrey Hills Ladies
Surrey Hills Ladies wish to advise Probians of the peaceful passing, on 14th September of their esteemed Foundation President and First Life Member Gwen Smith - shortly after her 87th birthday. Gwen was a regular attendee for many years at early PAV meetings and would be remembered by many. An obituary was presented by Valerie White at the service of celebration of Gwen's life held on 29th September at Strathdon, her home in recent years. Gwen assisted the Rotary Club of Canterbury in forming six Probus Clubs during the early 1990's. One of these was the Probus Ladies' Club of Surrey Hills with its inaugural meeting in May 1991, when Gwen became Foundation President for two years. She also held the position of President again in 1996-7. The members were unanimous in their appointment of Gwen as their first Life Member. Over the years she held many positions of office and could be relied on to come up with some new idea for outings, speakers, eating places to include with a day trip or a spot to stop for morning tea, along with all the other displays, museums and places of interest worthy of a visit. Her mind never stopped on what could be arranged, no matter where they were. For several years she arranged a joint luncheon at the Hawthorn Club for over a hundred members from all Probus Clubs in the area. Committee members over the years went to meetings in anticipation of what Gwen could come up with next and they were always amazed. All tours and trips were highlighted by the extra mile Gwen could arrange. Gwen had many other interests in her long life, particularly the Royal Children's Hospital that awarded her with a 'Living Treasure' title some years ago. The Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and Whitehorse/Boroondara Community Radio 94.1 FM benefited from her great energies over the years, also any worthwhile cause in the City of Boroondara could rely on her assistance.
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Surrey Hills Ladies celebrated its 20th Birthday last May. Pictured are President Rosemary Stevens, Foundation Secretary Frances Goldfinch, Foundation President Gwen Smith and early Treasurer Valerie White.
Blackburn South Men
Due to the high cost of coach travel, this club decided to try going on a "Car Safari" using shared cars to reduce the cost to members. A group of 21 members and partners, led by Ian Rose & Harish Shah departed on a 6 day tour of Western Victoria. The group first met up for coffee at Woodend, the prepared itinerary included points of interest that they could visit on the way to their over- night stop at Maryborough, where they enjoyed dinner at a local club. The next 2 days were spent at the Little Desert Lodge where the staff is very passionate about conservation and preservation of all wildlife and the endangered Mallee Fowl and Bettong. They saw an amazing variety of wild flowers on their four wheel drive desert tour. Days 5 & 6 were spent in the Grampians where the rain came down, after having spent 2 days earlier in the desert. This lovely area is slowly recovering from the bush fires of 5 years ago, and the devastating floods of recent times. The concept of a car safari was thoroughly endorsed by all involved and carefully researched and organised by the tour leaders, but allowed for individual variation along the way if desired.
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Blackburn South members and partners outside the Little Desert Lodge during their recent tour of Western Victoria.
Echuca Moama Combined
Just too, too much fun at Probus! Men in tutus is not something you see everyday, but they certainly entertained the crowd at the Echuca Moama Probus Clubs Christmas party. Some of the Club members performed 'The Dance of the swans' much to the amusement of fellow members. The four white swans danced to the classical music in perfect unison, while the black swan leapt and cavorted through their ranks in a performance choreographed by Lesley Morrison. The tragic dispatch of the white swans by the hunters arrows had the audience weeping with laughter. Master of ceremonies John Headberry's comic narration of the legend of the swans was delivered with great aplomb and had the audience in stitches.
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Cute as: Echuca Moama Centennial Probus Christmas party cast (from left) Geoff Irvin, Ian Bayliss, Jeff Owen, John Morton, Lester Patterson, Alistair Morrison and Bob Atkins.
Warracknabeal Ladies
For its last meeting at the Anglican Hall, 53 members were in attendance; future meetings will be held at the Fire Station. The Guest speaker at the meeting was Danoia Buschken who represented Grampian Waste Management Group and spoke on Kerb Recycling which covers 4 main categories: Plastic, Glass, Paper & Cardboard and Aluminium & Steel. A very interesting subject about which Danoia was able to answer many questions from members. Other interesting Guest Speakers have been Casey Phelan on VCAL - for students who disengage from education for many reasons. Casey teaches Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills & Work related issues. Tania Down spoke on the ‘Happiness Conference’ in Brisbane where she met the Dalai Lama, Jerry Donovan, Dr. Russ Harris and others. Glenda Hewitt, a local Kindergarten Director, spoke on her 3 week trip to England and Sweden with the early Childhood System. The Probus Rendezvous was held in the Barossa Valley with plenty of wine, fruits and cheese offered. The South Australian Police Band, Tanunda Oompah Band, Bavarian Dancers were just some of the entertainment. The opening ceremony was held at the Wolf Blass Centre where 540 Probians were fed and dined. Following the Rendezvous the Probus District 9780 Conference was held over 2 days in Bordertown. After the Opening Ceremony members were treated to keynote speakers John Watson who breeds 25,000 turkeys a year, Magistrate Bill Morris who turned his profession around to the Auditorium making himself the Prosecutor, Adair Dunsford – a Journalist and finally James Darling AM who lives at Duck Island and spoke on a wide range of issues including feral deer, water resources and art. Leora and Ray Duffield attended both functions on behalf of Warrracknabeal Probus Clubs and District Committee.
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Guest Speaker Danoia Buschken with Warracknabeal Ladies President Carol Wilson in front of the Recycle Display.
Waverley Central Ladies
This Probus Club celebrated its 20th birthday last year. President Jennifer Carra welcomed all members and several guests with twenty-eight foundation members present which was a great achievement. Three Life Members, Shirley Jamieson, Val Buckton and Muriel Horsfall cut the cake. A new banner made and designed by 3 members was then presented to the club. Following a short meeting and morning tea, members were then entertained by some of their own very talented ladies. A review “I Do Like To Be Beside The Sea” followed by the “March of the Life Guards”. A Buffet lunch was enjoyed by all. A great day of fun and fellowship.
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The new banner presented to the Waverley Ladies Club.
Reservoir West Combined
Reservoir members were entertained at one of their meetings by Mr. Curry of the Latrobe Library of Victoria, who spoke knowledgably of the history of the library. However he omitted to say that the building was built to hold an exhibition and Bill Clark, a member of the Club, asked him about this and he agreed that this was so. Bill is the proud possessor of a bronze plaque awarded to his great grandfather David Grimmond at the First Inter Colonial Exhibition of 1866-67. This exhibition was modelled on the Great Exhibition held in England in1851. The Melbourne building cost £24,000 and interest was so good that iron annexes had to be built to house the unexpected number of exhibits. After the exhibition, the building provided space for both the museum and the library. The museum has since been relocated and the present Exhibition building was built later. Records of the exhibition held by the Latrobe Library, Reference No. 606 4945 M 60: “398 medals were awarded to Victorians and 648 in all, including New Zealand, New Caledonia, Netherlands, India and Mauritius.”Extract from page 268 reads, “COTTON. A sample of Sea Island (cotton) by Mr Grimmond, Victoria, is very good - fine texture, good colour, and fair-staple. Also from the same grower a sample of New Orleans (cotton) is of good colour and good strong staple and is the most useful class in the exhibits. It is of this class that most of our domestic cloths are made. Last quotation from home (England). about 15 pence per pound, (1861). Entry No 33 "Grimmond David, Ovens and Murray, Sea Island Good. Grimmond David, Ovens and Murray, New Orleans. Best of class.” However, there is no evidence (in family history) that David grew cotton commercially as his main crops on his river bank property at Wahgunyah were table grapes.
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